Chapter 019 - Moonlit Mirage 06

  Elliot and No. 137 barely had a second to react before yanking me back inside.

  My boots scraped against the wooden floor as I landed, breath coming in sharp bursts. The echo of the body’s impact still rang in my ears.

  By the time they leaned out again, the water below had already returned to its eerie stillness. The ripples had faded, leaving behind only faint red streaks dissolving into the dark surface, as if nothing had ever disturbed it.

  No. 137 hesitated, her fingers gripping the window frame. There was a tremor in her voice when she spoke. “Bro, I think… I think I just saw a figure fall past the window.”

  Her uncertainty mirrored my own unease. I had seen it, too. But had it really been a fall? Or had something thrown him down?

  Before I could answer, movement from behind drew my attention. The hushed murmurs of the others had grown louder, their curiosity piqued by the commotion. More eyes turned toward me, narrowing in suspicion.

  A man’s voice cut through the murmuring. “Hey, suit guy! What did you see?”

  I ignored him.

  The crowd parted slightly, and an older man stepped forward. He carried himself with an air of quiet authority, his well-tailored clothes immaculate despite their grim surroundings. Silver hair framed a face lined with experience, his sharp gaze assessing me with practiced ease.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  He offered a polite nod before extending a hand. “If it’s not too much trouble, could you share what you saw with everyone?” His voice was smooth, measured, as if he were used to negotiation. “Oh, and nice to meet you—I’m No. 9. Probably the oldest one here.”

  I hesitated for only a moment before clasping his hand. His grip was firm but not overbearing.

  “Hello,” I replied, my tone neutral but direct. “I’m No. 32. I saw the man Yangjin dragged up. He fell from the ninth floor.”

  A murmur rippled through the group.

  I let my gaze sweep across the room, gauging their reactions before delivering the part that mattered most.

  “And his skin was gone.”

  A collective intake of breath—some stifled, others sharp and audible. Fear crawled through the crowd like an unseen current.

  I didn’t let the silence linger. “But the body is gone now. The only thing left is a fracture on the surface—like ice breaking rather than water rippling. A fall from the fifth floor or higher would’ve been fatal.”

  I let my words settle before delivering the final, pressing truth.

  “Right now, Yangjin is still on the ninth floor.”

  Tension coiled tighter in the room. I met their gazes one by one, making sure they understood.

  “My suggestion? Before she comes again, we should form teams and search for clues on floors one through eight.”

  A brief pause. Then, No. 9 caught on immediately. His expression remained calm, but there was a quiet weight to his voice as he nodded.

  “Let’s work together and clear this stage as soon as possible.”

  His words carried the steadiness of experience. A command without being forceful. A reason for them to move.

  And right now, movement was survival.